Augie Freshmen Join Campus Community

Starting this week, Augstana College's class of 2018 will call the Bergsaker and Solberg Halls home.

Sunday was move-in day for the school's newest arrivals. For at least one incoming freshman, the welcoming atmosphere that marked move-in day was familiar.

"I chose Augie because of the people, mainly," Kelsey Stotz said. "I just love the atmosphere of Augie. It felt like home, just when I took the tour right away, I just knew that it was right."

President Rob Oliver explains that the school had made sure it was ready for the rush of freshman.

"This is the day we prepare for months, and basically last spring we started preparing for this day, so there's a whole lot of people involved, a whole lot of planning involved," Oliver said.

About 400 students make up Augie's class of 2018, and the majority will live on campus in communities such as Bergsaker Hall. Classes start Thursday, but for now the newest vikings are just getting accustomed to their new home.

Chris Carstensen is moving his daughter Andrea into school today.

"Excitement, nervousness, you know, it's a change in our life too," Carstensen said.

When asked if he was feeling bittersweet, the Augie parent said he was, to a degree.

"A little bit, but in the same respect you know, she's growing, it's exciting," he said.

Stotz's reflections on the day were a little different.

"Not very bitter. It's like 'Okay well, here we go,'" she said.

An exciting time for students starting a new chapter in their life.

President Oliver shared Stotz and Carstensen's excitement, calling move-in day "the day that all the energy comes back to campus."